Ugandan youth dance troupe Ghetto Kids performs at World Cup final halftime show
The Kampala-based group’s appearance alongside global pop stars highlights how viral digital strategies are transforming grassroots African talent into major players in the global entertainment economy.
The Ugandan youth dance troupe Ghetto Kids performed at the halftime show of the football World Cup final on Sunday. The group appeared alongside global artists Shakira and Burna Boy during the match, which saw Spain defeat Argentina at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
This appearance marks a significant milestone for the Kampala-based collective, illustrating a growing pipeline of African digital-native talent into mainstream global entertainment. What began as a local initiative has evolved into a structured enterprise balancing commercial performance with social impact.
Manager Dauda Kavuma founded the troupe to support homeless children and those unable to afford school fees in Uganda’s capital. Drawing from his own experience living on the streets before a teacher intervened, Kavuma built a model focused on polishing raw talent while mandating an education-first approach.
The group’s rise was accelerated by strategic use of digital platforms. Their breakthrough came in 2017 featuring in French Montana’s music video for Unforgettable, which has since amassed over 1.9 billion views on YouTube.
That viral recognition unlocked further commercial opportunities, including a 2023 appearance in the final of Britain’s Got Talent and a 2024 competition on America’s Got Talent. Kavuma noted that while the children had already danced to Waka Waka on television, "it was now a great moment to see that Shakira invited us to perform with her."
Balancing commerce and education
Despite their international profile, the troupe’s operations remain strictly structured around schooling. Weekday filming is avoided, and traveling performers connect with teachers online to ensure academic progress is maintained.
Ten-year-old Sierra described the World Cup experience as "very, very, very, very, very good." She emphasized the group’s core philosophy, advising others to "never give up" and noting that "education is first, that's all."
Eleven-year-old Josephine recalled the excitement of the stadium, exclaiming, "I saw Messi and Lamine Yamal!" Both children aspire to become doctors while maintaining their passion for dance, with Josephine stating, "Dance is what I know and that makes me happy because that's my talent."
The group’s trajectory, which now includes a film titled Ghetto Kids Documentary: No Plan B, demonstrates a scalable model for cultural export. It proves that grassroots talent, when paired with digital strategy and educational support, can secure a sustainable place in the international entertainment market.
